“Yes, father, yes,” she cried, with a sob.
“And you wouldn’t mind meeting him again?”
“N-no, father, I think not,” she faltered.
“And you wouldn’t mind meeting your cousin Fred, eh?”
“I—I don’t think so, father; I would try not to mind.”
“I wouldn’t press you, my dear,” he said; “but you know Uncle Max is my brother, and blood is thicker than water, eh? I say blood is thicker than water; and some day I must die, and I should like to be friends first.”
“Die, father!” said Jessie, with a weary look. “Would it be very hard to die?”
“Here, I say, Jessie, my pet, don’t talk in that way. How should I know? I never tried. What makes you say that?”
“Because—because, father—”
She stopped short.